Climate Equity Event at Grace Cathedral

Want to help fight climate change AND poverty? Then join the Climate Equity Campaign on June 6th at the Grace Cathedral for a special event with two international climate justice activists. You'll learn about the real effects of climate change on communities around the world and the small steps you can take to make a big difference.

Guest speakers Nnimmo Bassey of Friends of the Earth International/Nigeria and Mina Susana Setra of the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago in Indonesia will inform listeners of the effects of climate change on their own communities as well as efforts to develop local and global solutions. Their combined experience includes decades of groundbreaking social justice work, such as documenting environmental damage caused by the oil companies in Nigeria and ongoing corporate collusion with the Nigerian military, establishing Community Resource Centers in areas of oil company activity, combatting the effects of Oil Palm Plantations in Indonesia and helping those imprisoned for protecting their land, and defending indigenous rights. Come hear what they have to say and leave with an understanding of how you can help ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable communities will have access to the financial and technological resources needed to adapt to climate change.

WHEN: Friday, June 6th, 5-7pm
WHERE: Grace Cathedral, Wilsey Conference Room
1100 California St., San Francisco
For more info, contact Samantha@priceofoil.org

This event is co-sponsored by the Grace Cathedral Stewardship of Creation Committee, the Diocese of California Commission for the Environment, and California Interfaith Power and Light

The Climate Equity Campaign is a coalition of groups including ActionAid, Center for American Progress, Friends of the Earth, Jubilee USA, Oil Change International, Oxfam America, and US Climate Action Network. For more info on the campaign, visit www.climateequitycampaign.org

Ten Commandments to Save the Planet: Bolivian President Evo Morales Addresses Global Warming at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

President Evo Morales told the United Nations that in order to save the planet, we must eradicate the capitalist model, and the North must pay its ecological debt. This was the first of Ten Commandments presented by the leader during the inauguration of the VII Indigenous Forum of the United Nations during a long speech that received high acclaim by those who attended the annual encounter.

Morales Ayma proposed ten commandments to save the world, life and humanity that require: respect for the earth, renouncing war, bilateral relations without imposition, clean energy and a rejection of bio-fuels, access to basic services, prioritizing local production, promotion of cultural diversity and living well through communitarian socialism in harmony with Mother Earth.

The President affirmed that there are two paths for humanity, life and planet earth; either we recover a way of living that is in harmony with Mother Earth and life, or we continue on the path of capitalism and death. Morales insisted that the only way to save the world is to end the way of thinking which foments individualistic egotism, and the thirst for profit.

"The enormous effects of climate change are not a product of human beings in general, rather the result of the existing capitalist system that is inhuman and predicated on unlimited 'industrial development'. For this reason I feel that it is important to stop the exploitation of human beings, and end the plunder of natural resources", said the head of state. "If we want to save the planet, we have to eradicate the capitalist model and the North must pay its ecological debt rather than the countries of the Global South and rest of the world paying external debts."

The second commandment, Morales explained is the concept of denouncing war, which only generates profit for the imperial powers, transnational corporations and a small group of families, but not the people. The millions and millions of dollars which are currently designated for war should be invested in the earth, which has been wounded, mistreated and overexploited.

Third - Relationships of co-existence rather than submission of one country to another must be achieved, in a world without imperialism or colonialism. Bi-lateral and multi-lateral relations are important, because we are a culture of dialogue and social co-existence, but these relations must not be based on the submission of one country to another.

Fourth - Water is a human right of all people living on the planet. It has been said that you can live without electricity, but not without water. Water is life. There should be no policies that permit the privatization of water. President Morales proposed an international convention on water to protect water sources as a human right, and to prevent privatization.

Fifth - Clean, environmentally friendly energies must be developed and we must stop wasting energy. In 100 years we will finish off fossil fuel deposits that took millions of years to create. "Avoid promoting bio-fuels. It is impossible to understand how some presidents and development models are setting aside lands to run luxury automobiles and not to produce food for people.

Morales proposed promoting debate among governments and creating conscience so that land benefits human beings rather than being used to produce fuel. He referred to pronouncements of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and expressed that for the first time, he is in agreement with both of those institutions on this issue.

Six - Respect Mother Earth. No expert or specialist can debate with Indigenous leaders on the issue of respect for Mother Earth. We should seek ways for the Indigenous movement to influence other social sectors, urban and rural, so that everyone understands that the earth is our mother.

Seven - Basic services including water, electricity, education, health care, communication and transportation should be considered a human right, and should be publicly owned services rather than private businesses.

Eight - Consume only what is necessary; prioritize what we produce and consume locally. Consumerism, extravagance and luxury must end. It is inconceivable that some families pursue luxury while millions and millions don't even have the possibility of 'living well'. He noted that while millions of people die of hunger each year, in other parts of the world millions of dollars are spent combating obesity.

Nine - Promote the diversity of cultures and economies. We are so diverse, and even though the Indigenous movement has always been excluded, we are proposing unity in diversity. A Pluri-national State, in which all are included; white, brown and black.

Ten - Live Well. The concept of 'living well' is not new. It is about recovering the way of our ancestors, to 'live well', which is not to "live better" at the cost of others. We must build a communitarian socialism in harmony with Mother Earth.

Screening of Renewal at the GTU

SCREENING OF "RENEWAL" at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, on Thursday April 24, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. This film captures the breadth and vitality of America's religious-environmental movement, and shows how individuals and communities driven by their spiritual and religious convictions are being called to re-examine what it means to be human and how we live on this planet. The Reverend Sally Bingham will lead a discussion following the screening, which will take place in Easton Hall, Church Divinity School of the Pacific, 2451 Ridge Road, Berkeley. For more information, e-mail: whitneybauman@religionandecology.org

St. Stephen's Orinda: Earth Week!

CELEBRATE EARTH WEEK 2008!

CARING FOR CREATION MEETING: Monday, April 14, 7:30PM, Youth Room. All are invited to help prepare St. Stephen's celebration of Earth Day on April 20. Anyone with an interest in fostering environmental awareness is invited to help prepare our exhibits for coffee hour. Contact: Dick or Louise Severy at 925-283-2950, or Barbara Bisel.
ERIC THERIAULT RECITAL - APRIL 20

Our wonderful tenor, Eric Therault, will perform in a special recital for our parish and the community. Join us for the 10am service and stay for pancake breakfast (organic and sustainably raised) while you explore our Earth Sunday displays -- then pop back upstairs for an amazing musical treat from Eric. We will have extended childcare, however children are always welcome! Eric's recital will begin at 12:15. (MORE on Eric)


ALL PARISH WORK DAY!
Mark your Calendar for an All Parish Work Day to Celebrate Earth Day 2008! Saturday, April 26th from 8:30 until Noon there will be an "Earth Day Gathering" here at St. Stephen's Church to spruce up, clean up, plant, build up and nourish our campus. If you see a project you would like to help on please contact Brenda in the Office. We hope to have people here from our Youth Program, our Garden Club and the Caring for Creation Committee to name just a few groups…as you know, the more help we have the easier the lighter the load. Our Jr. Warden, Mike Obrien plans on being here as well.. Also, if you would like to participate in the fun by making lunch for the "worker-bees" please give Mo. Jan a call in the office 254-3770 X20

Celebrate North County’s Earth Day

Celebrate North County’s Earth Day

AT MISSION SAN LUIS REY

Sunday, March 30th 11 am—4pm
Care & Connect
with Mother Earth

Explore the inner Gardens of the Mission...not usually open to the public.
Learn the importance of recycling and caring for our valuable natural resources.
Participate in many interactive & educational exhibits, and a variety of crafts.
Enjoy drums, singers and dancers throughout the day!
Volunteers and Vendors are Welcome!
Maureen Sullivan, Special Events
(760) 757-3651 ext146

Visit our website: www.sanluisrey.org

Learn how you can make a personal difference in sustaining the environment at this fun-filled family event!

Earth Day Event: St. Clare's of Pleasanton

Care for the World

A festival service of readings, prayers, and music focusing on creation, the environment, and our responsibility as stewards of God’s creation.

Sunday April 13, 2008
5:15 p.m.
St. Clare’s Episcopal Church
3350 Hopyard Road
Pleasanton, CA 94588

www.stclarespleasanton.org

925-462-4802

FCCB Goes Local!

The Climate Action Ministry Team at First Congregational Church of Berkeley (FCCB: 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley) will be hosting a 100-mile potluck in the FCCB large assembly on Saturday March 8 at 5:30 pm. Most of our food travels hundreds if not thousands of miles before it reaches our plates. We challenge you to create a meal made with ingredients grown within 100 miles of your home. This is a challenge so don't feel bad if you can't do it. Prizes will be awarded to the best tasting dish with the most local ingredients.


Following the potluck, we will be showing the documentary film, "What a Way to Go: Life at the End of Empire" at 7 pm on March 8. The threat of nuclear annihilation first brought the very real thought that humans could destroy the planet. While nuclear weapons are still a very real threat, we now face planetary crisis brought to us by climate change and resource depletion.

What a Way to Go looks at the current global situation and asks the most important questions of all:
· How did we get here?
· Why do we keep destroying the planet?
· What do we truly want?
· Can we find a vision that will empower us to do what is
necessary to survive, and even thrive, in the coming decades?

Join us for this powerful film followed by a short discussion.